cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Guidelines on Hold





Medical Marijuana Guidelines on Hold
Posted by CN Staff on June 05, 2002 at 09:09:06 PT
By Charles Levin
Source: Ventura County Star 
County supervisors delayed a vote to give their blessing to local guidelines on medical marijuana, instead asking law enforcement agencies to consult with other experts on the proposal. Supervisors backed away from the advisory vote, bowing to sharp criticism by medical marijuana users who complained the guidelines were too restrictive. "It's not up to the police to decide what a patient needs," said Lynn Osburn, who lives north of Ojai. "It's up to the doctor." 
Supervisors have no legal authority over the guidelines. Supervisor John Flynn brought them before the board after local medical marijuana users complained they were being harassed for complying with Proposition 215, the 1996 initiative that allows using marijuana with a doctor's prescription. Flynn said he wanted to see less restrictive guidelines, but Sheriff Bob Brooks said that isn't likely. "There's always potential for dialogue," Brooks said, "but I can't imagine, other than anecdotal information, what can be added to the debate." The guidelines were developed by the district attorney, Sheriff's Department and Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Port Hueneme and Simi Valley police departments as a way to reconcile Proposition 215. Federal law forbids growing or possessing pot for medical use. Setting guidelines has fallen to local agencies with a wide array of standards from county to county. Ventura County's rules will apply to people with cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spastic behavior, glaucoma, arthritis and migraine headaches. They allow growing up to six plants or possessing one dry pound, assuming one plant produces a pound. But critics called the numbers inflated, contending that one plant could produce as little as one ounce. "These guidelines need radical modifications," said Jeff Meyers of Oak View. Supervisors urged law enforcement officials to discuss the rules with medical and agricultural experts. Supervisor Judy Mikels said she recognizes that pot may hold benefits for seriously ill people. "My hope, at the very least, is there could be some dialogue with professionals," Mikels said, adding that if such talks "affirm the guidelines, then fine." But Brooks said the coalition of law enforcement agencies already has consulted a wide array of experts, advocates and users. "Our policy was not based on local popularity," Brooks said. "It was based on medical evidence and expert testimony from both sides of the issue."Note: Supervisors delay vote and ask law enforcement agencies to study issue further.Source: Ventura County Star (CA)Author: Charles LevinPublished: June 5, 2002Copyright: 2002, The E.W. Scripps Co.Contact: letters insidevc.comWebsite: http://www.staronline.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmMedicinal Pot Policy Criticized by Supervisorshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13047.shtmlPot Posture Fails 'Red-Face Test' http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12995.shtmlMedical Marijuana Wars Heat Up http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12932.shtml
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